An English woman in New York

Antony Gormley in New York

One of my favourite British artists, Antony Gormley, is having his first public art project in New York – Event Horizon – which looks amazing judging by this photo in the New York Times. Unfortunately it doesn’t start until next week and patience has never been my strong point.

What I love about Gormley is how he challenges our notion of art. I was lucky enough to be in London last summer for part of One & Other when he invited ordinary people to become living statues on the vacant fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. Gormley chose 2,400 plinthers at random, from 35,000 applicants, to fill the space for 24 hours a day, for 100 days.

I was part of a lively crowd watching a poetry reading but the plinthers also used their one hour to publicise charities, look for jobs, and even go nude.

Given that New Yorkers are far less reserved than Brits, it will be interesting to see their reaction to Gormley’s work. I wish he had also asked them to be living sculptures – but can hold out hope that one day he will.